Paul Lawrence
Golden Gov: Federal Executive of the Year
Dr. Paul Lawrence serves as VA’s deputy secretary and chief operating officer, overseeing policy and operations across the department. He is also performing the duties of the assistant secretary for information and technology and CIO, placing him directly over technology decisions affecting veterans’ care, benefits and services. Confirmed as deputy secretary in 2025, Lawrence previously led the Veterans Benefits Administration during the first Trump administration. His combined operational and technology responsibilities give him a central role in ensuring that modernization efforts address the needs of both veterans and VA employees. He brings an agencywide perspective to the difficult work of improving large, essential government systems.
